Printers&#39; furniture



Oct. 31, 1961 E. M. HEINZ, SR 3,006,278

PRINTERS' FURNITURE Filed Nov. 2, 1959 INVENTOR. Edward N. Hell/72,52*.

A rroQA/f YS United States Patent O 3,006,278 P RS FURNITURE Edward M.Heinz, Sr., 136 W. John St., Hicksville, N.Y. Filed Nov. 2, 1959, Ser.No. 850,125 6 Claims. (Cl. 101-402) This invention relates to printersfurniture and refers more particularly to spacers used by printers insetting up printing plates.

An object of the present invention is the provision of expandablefurniture which can be conveniently extended and adjusted, so that onepiece of furniture can be effectively used to t a variety of differentspaces.

Another object is the provision of expansion furniture which can beeasily adapted to t very large, as well as very small spaces, and whichcan be locked effectively at precisely the desired space.

A further object is the provision of expansion furniture which isextremely accurate and will retain such positive accuracy despite mostexcessive locking up strains or quoin pressure.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision ofexpansion furniture which is light in weight, while being very strongand completely rigid, and which will not rust or tarnish despite adverseconditions.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in thecourse of the following specification.

In accomplishing the objects of the present invention it was founddesirable to provide a furniture piece having two interengaging movableparts, so that the piece can be expanded or contracted to t any requiredspace. The parts of the furniture piece may be provided with serrationsserving as a scale, as well as effective locking means.

A furniture piece constituting one embodiment of the inventive idea issuitable for widths from about 3 ems to about 12 ems and consists of anouter part having recessed side walls and a bottom consisting of twospaced plates provided with opposed channels. The inner part has amiddle section fitting between the two bottom plates and provided withridges located in the channels. The inner part also has side sectionssliding in the recesses of the side walls of the outer part.

Another embodiment of the present invention pertains to a furniturepiece suitable for a narrow width of approximately one to tive picas;this piece consists of an outer part serving as a casing for an innerpart provided with a T-shaped head.

Furniture pieces constructed in accordance with the present inventionare preferably provided with serrations which are so arranged that thefurniture is expandable by one pica step. The locking of the movableparts is preferably effected by a thumb screw or a cam lock.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detaileddescription, When taken in connection with the accompanying drawingshowing, by way of example only, preferred embodiments of the inventiveidea.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a top view of a furniture piece constructed in accordancewith the principles of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side View thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a transverse section along the line 3 3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view illustrating a lock of a different type.

FIGURE 5 is a side view of a differently constructed furniture piece.

FIGURE 6 is a section along the line 6 6 of FIG- URE 5.

The printers furniture piece shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 of the drawingsincludes an outer member 10 and an inner member 11. The outer end member10 has a 'ice registering end surface 12, while the inner member 11 hasa registering end surface 13. Since the inner member 11 slides withinthe outer member 10, it is apparent that the distance between theregistering surfaces 12 and 13 can be adjusted, depending upon the spaceWhich must be filled by the furniture piece.

The outer member 10 has a recessed side surface 14 which is enclosed onthree sides by a top ange 15, a bottom flange 16 and an end flange 17.The fourth side is open to enable the sliding of the inner member 11.The opposite side of the outer member 10 is similarly shaped and has arecessed side surface 18 enclosed by a top ange 19, a bottom flange 20and an end flange 21. The top of the outer member 10 is again enclosedon three sides by upwardly extending flanges, consisting of a side ange22, another side flange 23, and an end ange 24 which joins the llanges17 and 21. The bottom of the outer member 10 is of the same constructionand is enclosed by two side flanges 25 and 26 and an end flange 27.

The bottom of the outer piece 10 consists of two bottom portions 28 and29, which extend parallel to each other and which are joined by aconnecting member 30, the outer surface 12 of which constitutes theregistering surface of the outer member 10. It is apparent that theconnecting member 30 is integral with the top and bottom flanges 24 and27.

The bottom portions 28 and 29 extend parallel to each other and formtherebetween a slot 31 which extends across the entire outer member 10and substantially throughout the entire length thereof. Two pairs ofopposed longitudinal grooves 32 to 35 are formed in the opposed surfacesof the bottom portions 28 and 29.

It is thus apparent that in general appearance the outer member 10 hasthe shape of an elongated container provided with an open top and anopen bottom. In cross section the outer member 10 has the shape of theletter U extending above an inverted U.

The inner member 11 is essentially complementary to the outer member 10.It has a rectangular end piece 36 provided with the above-mentionedregistering end surface 13. Two sides 37 and 38 are irmly connected withthe end piece 36. The side 37 slides within the recessed side 14 of theouter member, and is enclosed by the flanges 15 and 16 of the outermember.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outer surface of the side 37 is flush with theside surfaces 15 and 16 of the outer member 10. Due to this arrangementthe furniture piece composed of the outer and inner members 10 and 11presents an uninterrupted side surface which facilitates the insertionof the furniture piece by the printer. The side 38 is similarlyconstructed and slides in the recessed side 18 of the outer member 10.The side 38 is also enclosed by the anges 19 and 20, so as to present asmooth uninterrupted surface. When the furniture piece is completelycollapsed, so that it has its smallest length, the ends of the sides 37and 33 will engage the flanges 17 and 21 of the outer member 10, so thatsmooth, uninterrupted surfaces are provided. The inner member 11 has abottom portion 39 which is integral with the sides 37 and 38, and whichextends through the slot 31. This bottom portion 39 has two pairs ofopposed ridges 40, 41, 42 and 43. As shown in FIG. 3, the ridge 40 litsinto the groove 32, while the ridge 41 ts into the groove 34. Similarly,the ridge 42 tits into the groove 33, while the ridge 43 lits into thegroove 35.

The bottom portion 39 of the inner member 11 is also provided with anelongated centrally located slot 44, the ends of which are spaced fromthe ends of the inner member 11.

While in the above description the outer and inner members 10 and 11Were described as having a bottom and a top, it is apparent that theyare essentially of the same construction both at the top and the bottom,so that they can be conveniently reversed in use.

One of the edges `of the slot 44 is provided with serra- -tions 45 whichserve as a scale graduated inpica or in any other suitable manner. Theserrations 45 cooperate with correspondingly spaced projections 46(FIGS) which are provided upon the under surface of the bottom portion28. The arrangement is such that the members 10 and 1,1 may convenientlyslide relatively to each other, but their sliding movement will bestopped or impeded when a projection 46 tits into one of the serrations45.

The members 10 and 11 can be firmly clamped relatively to each other bymeans of a thumb screw 47, which is mounted upon a bolt extendingthrough a suitable opening provided in the bottom member 28. The boltextends throughrthe slot 44 of the member 11 and is carried by apreferably square piece 49 which tits into a corresponding openingformed in the bottom member 29.

The operation of the described printers furniture piece is apparent fromthe above description.

When the screw 47 is loosened, the members 10 and 11 can be convenientlymoved relatively to each other, the serrations 45 sliding upon theprojections 46. The serraktions 45 may be provided with a suitable scale(not shown), which enables the user to set the relative distances of thesurfaces 12 and 13 at will. However, the user can also insert thefurniture piece inside the available space, and then proceed to move theportions 10 and 11 relatively to each other until the surfaces 12 and 13engage the adjacent pieces.

It is apparent that this arrangement provides a most convenientexpandable furniture piece which is suitable to fit very large, as .wellas comparatively small spaces.

When the desired relative positions of the members 10 and 11 have beenset, the furniture piece is located in the selected position by screwingdown the thumb screw 47.

FIGURE 4 shows in section a substantially similar furniture piececomprising members 10 and 11. In this construction the locking of themember 10 relatively to the member 11 is carried out by means of a camlock comprising a cam disk 56 connected with a lever 51. The cam disk Gis swingably mounted upon a support 52, which extends through the bottomportion 28, the slot 44, and the bottom portion 29. The lower end of thesupport 52 is provided with a head 53.

It is apparent that when the lever 51 is located in the illustratedhorizontal position, the cam member 50 will press against the bottomportion 28 and will firmly clamp the members and 11. By swinging -thelever 51 upwardly to a vertical position, pressure upon the bottomportion 28 is released and the members 10 and 11 may be convenientlymoved relatively to each other.

In other respects the construction is the same as the one which waspreviously described.

The furniture piece shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 is particularly suitablefor use when very narrow spaces are involved. The furniture piececomprises an outer member V64) having a registering end surface 61. Aninner member 62 has a registering end surface 63 which is located ,atthe end of a T-shaped head 64 provided with side surfaces 65 and 66,which are in alignment with the side surfaces 67 and 68 provided in theouter member 60.

The head 64 of the inner member 62 is connected with a body portion 69which slides within a slot 70 provided in the outer member 69. As shownin FIG. 6, the slot 70 is substantially rectangular in shape and is openon one side. The inner member 62 has a side surface 71 which is ush withthe side surfaces 72 and 73 of the outer member 60. The opposed edges 74and 75 of the outer member 60 are provided with uniformly spacedprojections or serrations 76 and 77, respectively. These serrations arepreferably spaced at the distance of a pica or any other suitable unit,and they cooperate with correspondingly spaced recesses 78 and 79provided at the opposed edges of the elongated portion 69 of the innermember 62. The serrations 76 and 77 and/or the recesses 78 and 79 may beprovided with a suitable scale for the convenience of the user.

The inner and outer members 60 and 62 may be provided with a suitableclamping device which is not shown in the drawing.

In operation the user will pull the inner member 62 relatively to theouter member 60 until the surfaces 61 and 63 are at the desired distancefrom each other. In the 4Course of the sliding movement, the serrations76 and 77 will somewhat impede the sliding movement Without preventingit, and the two members 60 and 62 may be conveniently set in a desiredposition which will correspond to the required length.

It is apparent that the examples shown above have been given solely byway of illustration and not by way of limitation, and that they arecapable of many variations and modications within the scope of thepresent invention. All such variations and modifications are to beincluded within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

l. Printers furniture, comprising an elongated outer member having aregistering outer end surface, an inner sliding surface, two inner sidesurfaces located on both sides of said inner sliding surface, and aninner end surface, and an elongated inner member comprising an endpoition having an outer registering surface, said inner member furthercomprising a body portion slidable relatively to the inner surfaces ofsaid outer member and having an inner sliding surface located oppositethe inner sliding surface of said outer member, and spaced serrationsupon an inner side surface of said outer member and an opposed surfaceof the body portion of said inner member, said serrations being adaptedto interengage in different relative positions of the outer and innermembers for setting the distance between said registering surfaces.

ZPrinters furniture, comprising an elongated outer member having "aregistering outer end surface, recessed sides, and two parallel bottomportions having opposed grooves, an elongated inner member comprisingside portions sliding in said recessed sides of the outer member, abottom sliding between said bottom portions of the outer member andhaving ridges extending within said grooves, and a registering outer endsurface, and means 'locking said inner member in one of a plurality ofpositions relatively to said outer member.

3. Printersfurniture, comprising an elongated outer member having aregistering outer end surface, recessed sides, and two parallel bottomportions, and an elongated inner member comprising side portions slidingin said recessed sides of the outer member, a bottom sliding betweensaid Vbottom portions of the outer member and a registering outer endsurface, and spaced serrations upon the bottom of said inner member andan opposed surface of a bottom portion of said outer member, saidserrations being adapted to interengage in different relative positionsof the outer and inner members for setting the distance between saidregistering surfaces.

4. Printers furniture, comprising an elongated outer member having aregistering outer end surface, recessed sides, and two parallel bottomportions, an elongated inner member comprising side portions sliding insaid recessed sides of the outer member, a bottom member and a tweensaid bottom portions of the outer member and a registering outer endsurface, the -bottom of said inner member having an elongated slot, anda lock extending through said slot and through openings formed in thebottom portions of said outer member for locking said inner member inone of a plurality of positions relatively to said outer member.

5. Printers furniture, comprising an elongated outer member having aregistering outer end surface, recessed sides, and two parallel bottomportions, an elongated inner member comprising side portions sliding insaid recessed sides of the outer member, a bottom sliding between saidbottom portions of the outer member and a registering outer end surface,the bottom of said inner member having an elongated slot, and a screwextending through said slot and through openings formed in the bottomportions of said outer member for locking said inner member in one of aplurality of positions relatively to said outer member.

6. Printers furniture, comprising an elongated outer member having aregistering outer end surface, recessed sides, and two parallel bottomportions, an elongated inner member comprising side portions sliding insaid recessed sides of the outer member, a bottom sliding between saidbottom portions of the outer member and a registering outer end surface,the bottom of said inner member having an elongated slot, and `a camlock extending through said s-lot and through openings formed in thebottom portions of said outer member for locking said inner member inone of a plurality of positions relatively to said outer member.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

